GTC 2025: AI Trends & Strategic Implications for FIT

Sizhe Liu

sizhe.liu@fit-foxconn.com

USRD, FIT

AI Compute Knows No Rest

Massive Scale: AI demands unprecedented data throughput & compute (10k-100k+ GPUs).

Infrastructure is Key: Data centers become “AI Factories” needing ultra-high-speed, low-latency interconnects.

AI Application Booming: Among 2900+ GTC sessions, only ~180 focused directly on compute hardware

Key Trend 1: Hardware & Infrastructure Scale

Massive GPU Clusters: 50k-100k+ GPUs drive demand.
High-Performance Fabric: 800G+ networks (IB/Ethernet), >95% utilization needed.
Evolving Standards: PCIe 6.0/7.0 & CXL crucial for disaggregation/scale-up.

LLM compute and communication profiling showing bursty communication patterns

Key Trend 2: AI Transforming Design & Manufacturing

AI-Driven Design: Faster simulation, optimization, generation.
Smart Manufacturing: Enhanced QC, process optimization (Digital Twins), predictive maintenance.
Human-Robot Collaboration: Intuitive interaction, flexible automation.
FIT’s Opportunity: Leverage AI internally (Design, Mfg, QC) & explore customer solutions.

YooDriveCloud Data Closed-loop Toolchain

Key Trend 3: Specialized AI Domains Emerge

AI Factories: * Heterogeneous compute * Extreme power/thermal needs * Rack-scale interconnects (DACs/Optics)

Industrial Robotics: * Ruggedized, low-latency, deterministic * Harsh environments (TSN)

Autonomous Vehicles: * Safety-critical, high-bandwidth * Resilient, compact

FIT’s Strategy: Develop domain-optimized interconnect families for these high-value markets.

Industrial robotics requires specialized interconnects

Evidence: Market Growth and Performace Gains

Figure 1: Projected AI Infra & Interconnect Market Growth

Significant growth projected in AI server spending & high-speed interconnects
Specialized domains (Industrial, Robotics, AV) show rapid growth

Code

performanceData = [
  {area: "Quality Control", traditional: 1.0, aiEnhanced: 2.3},
  {area: "Design Efficiency", traditional: 1.0, aiEnhanced: 1.8},
  {area: "Time-to-Market", traditional: 1.0, aiEnhanced: 1.5},
  {area: "Resource Utilization", traditional: 1.0, aiEnhanced: 1.6},
  {area: "Defect Reduction", traditional: 1.0, aiEnhanced: 2.1}
]

// Create the visualization with Plot
Plot.plot({
  marginLeft: 120,
  marginRight: 40,
  marginTop: 40,
  marginBottom: 40,
  height: 350, 
  x: {
    label: "Performance Multiplier",
    domain: [0.5, 2.5],
    grid: true
  },
  y: {
    label: null,
    domain: performanceData.map(d => d.area)
  },
  color: {
    domain: ["Traditional Mfg.", "AI-Enhanced Mfg."], 
    range: ["#808080", "#76b900"],
    legend: true
  },
  marks: [
    Plot.barX(performanceData, {
      y: "area", 
      x: "traditional", 
      fill: "Traditional Mfg.",
      title: d => `${d.traditional}x`
    }),
    Plot.barX(performanceData, {
      y: "area", 
      x: "aiEnhanced", 
      fill: "AI-Enhanced Mfg.",
      title: d => `${d.aiEnhanced}x`
    }),
    Plot.ruleX([1], {stroke: "#999", strokeDasharray: "4,4"}),
    Plot.text(performanceData, {
      x: d => d.aiEnhanced + 0.1,
      y: "area",
      text: d => `${d.aiEnhanced}x`,
      fontSize: 11, 
      fill: "#333",
      dx: 5
    })
  ]
})

(a)

(b)

Figure 2: AI-Driven Mfg. Quality & Efficiency Gains

AI offers significant potential for improving Mfg. Quality, Efficiency, & Time-to-Market (relevant for FIT & customers).

Strategic Imperatives for FIT

Lead High-Speed: Drive PCIe 6/7, CXL, 112G+ SerDes. Maximize CDFP/OSFP-XD.
Enable Architectures: Solutions for disaggregation & scale-up (w/ partners like Alphawave).
Specialize for AI: Optimize for bursty traffic, low latency, reliability.
Target Domains: Tailored solutions for AI Factories, Industrial, Automotive.
Manufacturing Excellence: Leverage AI in 3 directions: precision, quality, scale.

Conclusion: FIT Enabling the AI Future

The AI revolution hinges on high-performance interconnects – FIT’s core strength.
Market trends (scale, specialization, new standards) align perfectly with FIT’s capabilities and recent successes (PCIe 6/7, CDFP/OSFP-XD).
Strategic focus on high-speed leadership, domain specialization, and manufacturing excellence will solidify FIT’s position as a critical enabler of AI infrastructure.
FIT is uniquely positioned to connect the future of AI.